To celebrate, we’ve been speaking with some of the people who helped shape the practice into what it is today.

How it all began

Before Jones Radiology arrived, the radiology practice at Burnside was run by Dr Norman Johnston and Dr Stephen Mitchell. As Robert George, former Director recalls, the clinic wanted to introduce CT scanning, but Drs Johnston and Mitchell had no experience with the modality at the time.

Jones Radiology merged with the Johnston Mitchell practice, and rebranded as Jones Radiology in 1986. A CT was installed in the practice’s original location, which led to planning a new department on the current site.

The early days

Liz Bowey, former Chief Technologist at Burnside and Chief of Modality for Breast, remembers the site well from when she started there in 1992.

At the time, our Burnside clinic had two screening rooms. One, located where the breast area is now, was used for more specialised procedures, while the other was dedicated to barium studies. An IVP room, where dental sits today, was also used for oral cholecystograms and general x-ray.

The practice offered CT, mammography, two ultrasound rooms and an OPG machine. Before digital imaging, a darkroom stood where the sorting area is now, with pass hatches connecting it to the screening, general and IVP rooms.

A first for breast care

Breast care has long been at the heart of Burnside’s story. Robert, together with Heather Webber, convinced the Clinic Board to give up its boardroom and executive offices in the old Attunga House to create a dedicated Breast Clinic for breast surgeons Drs Clive Hoffman and Steve Birrell. It was the first of its kind in the country, and the model was later adopted at St Andrew’s.

In those early years, patients would see their surgeon upstairs in Attunga House, come downstairs for their mammogram, then head back up for their follow-up. Our dedicated breast imaging area was built in the 1990s, laying the foundations for the comprehensive breast service Burnside is known for today.

Liz became Chief of the department in 1998 and later took on responsibility for mammography, eventually stepping back from the Burnside Chief role as her Chief of Modality responsibilities grew.

Remembering Keith Hawley

Many of Burnside’s stories lead back to our late Chief Radiographer, Keith Hawley, a much-loved figure who set the standard for the team.

“Keith was a lovely man. He could be very strong with his opinions, but was usually right! A great radiographer, demanding high standards, but not in a bossy way, we just knew what was expected,” Liz recalls.

“Once I was in higher positions, we worked well together. He listened to suggestions and was very supportive. He was instrumental in moving me from working at Mitcham to Burnside. I didn’t want to move from my comfort zone, but look what happened when I did!”

A teak garden seat with a plaque, placed in the nearby garden, continues to honour Keith and his contribution to Burnside.

Burnside today

Today, our Burnside clinic is located at the Attunga Medical Centre, in the grounds of Burnside Hospital, where we are co-located with The Breast and Endocrine Centre. The centre provides specialist diagnosis, treatment and support for people with breast and endocrine conditions, with a team that includes breast surgeons, breast care nurses, oncologists, pathologists, geneticists and reconstructive surgeons.

Being in the same location means patients can have their imaging with our dedicated breast team and see their specialist on the same day. Breast imaging includes mammography, ultrasound, and ultrasound and mammogram guided biopsies, with CT, nuclear medicine, PET or MRI arranged if further testing is needed.

Alongside breast imaging, our Burnside clinic offers x-ray (with walk-in availability), CT, ultrasound, musculoskeletal imaging, dental imaging, bone density, body composition scanning and wellness services.

Celebrating together

To mark 40 years, we gathered for a BBQ lunch at Burnside, and it was a joy to share the day with so many current and past colleagues, along with the partners who have been part of our journey. It was especially lovely to welcome Robert George and Keith Hawley’s family, as well as Burnside Hospital staff, friends from Burnside Clinic and Dr Oehler and  Dr Olsson.

It was a wonderful chance to reflect on how far we’ve come, share a few stories, and thank the people who continue to care for our community alongside us.

Thank you.

To every radiologist, technologist, nurse, receptionist and support team member who has been part of Jones Radiology at Burnside over the past 40 years – thank you. And to the referrers who have trusted us with their patients, our partners at the Burnside Hospital, and the many patients who have walked through our doors, we’re grateful to have shared these 40 years with you.